How to Travel Hack

Travel is a popular hobby on many lists, but it’s not getting any cheaper and the economy is not getting any stronger. However, new ways to get around expensive fees and reservation prices are entering the travel landscape and are making it easier for even the cash-strapped to hit the highway. With a little creativity and a dash of resourcefulness, your travel budget will last for miles.

Travel hacking has become a common term among travelers searching for better deals and ways around expensive packages. The travel industry umped on board with this trend as lodging options have been more diverse than ever. Instead of forking over your cash for a pricey hotel, you can spend a night in a treehouse, tent or even on someone’s couch. For those who don’t require luxury, these cheaper accommodations are a Godsend.

Travelers are using mileage programs as another tool to expand their travel choices. For example, purchasing large quantities of items at a low price may deposit thousands of points into your account, increasing your flight and hotel options.

Using search sites that bring together multiple sources is another way to find the best prices. Kayak.com, for example, is an all-encompassing site that lets you search for flights, hotel and ground transportation and compare rates across companies. Kayak is not a new site, of course, but the popularity of similar booking sites is taking off into the open skies.